02-19-86 V AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLA. ,
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 19, L986
CALL TO ORDER
1. ACTION BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON A REQUEST FOR EXPENDITURE
OF FUNDS FOR ENGINEERING MODIFICATIONS TO PART 4 OF
THE CITY'S CURRENT SEWER PROJECT.
2. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY
COMMISSION HELD AT CITY HALL ON FEBRUARY 19, 1986 AT 7: 15 P.M.
Mayor Howell called the special meeting to order at 7: 15 p.m. for the purpose
of discussing additional sewer problems. Those present were Mayor William S.
Howell, Commissioners Robert B. Cook, Sr. , Glenn A. Edwards, and John W. Morris,
Jr. ; City Manager Richard C. Fellows, and Finance Director Harry E. Royal.
Mr. Fellows reported after several conferences between Mr. Braid, Mr. Townsend,
Robert Bates & Associates, a list was formulated of items felt necessary in
the modifications and rehabilation of the existing sewer plant. Mr. Bates had
explained the reason the items were not included in the original design was
the city anticipated having to fund the entire project with no grant funds
assured. Therefore, according to Mr. Bates, he was instructed to "bare bone"
his proposal, one that would just get the city by, and then hope some day
in the future the city would be able to provide the other items. After the list
was prepared, Mayor Howell, Commissioner Edwards and the City Manager attended
meetings in Tallahassee to discuss the possibilities of receiving funding
under an increased grant, and were informed the only way would be to modify and
revise the plans in the hope the city would be able to recapture some of the
funds saved on Part II of the project ($100,000) and would be in the position to
receive additional monies. Taking into consideration the list of items needed,
if the bid ran over the amount of money EPA had given the city, we would be
eligible for bid over-run money.
Mr. Fellows said he had contacted Mr. Bates in that regard. After contacting the
State, Mr. Bates submitted a letter to Mr. Fellows, dated February 14, 1986 in
which he proposed to provide all the necessary services to put together the
modified plan for $30,000 and complete it so the city could advertise for bids
on the project by March 15, 1986 which is the date the Environmental Protection
Agency will require us to have the project bid in accordance with the Admini-
strative Order.
During discussion, it was pointed out the city appeared to be locked in due to
the lateness (bid should have been out by February 1st.) and it was unanimously
agreed the city reserves all rights for any legal actions on any problems that
may arise in the future.
Commissioner Cook moved that the firm of Robert Bates & Associates, Inc. be
authorized to proceed in accordance with their letter of February 14, 1986 for
design services for additional items in the modifications to the existing
sewer plant in the amount of $30,000.00. (Copies are attached hereto and made a
part hereof.)The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried
unanimously. Mayor Howell asserted he was voting aye u .er protest.
As there was no other business to come before t e , issi. l , the Mayor declared
the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Wi .
ATTEST: Mayor/Presiding Officer
- ++ --
Adelaide R. Tucker
City Clerk
(�( (.1 Robert Bates & Associates, Inc.
Consulting @ngm eers Jacksonville Florida
Post Office Box 5651
3304 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville,Florida 32207
(904)396-6904
February 4, 1986
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
716 Ocean Boulevard
Post Office Drawer 25
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Re: Supplemental Items
Prospective EPA Grant Increase
Existing Wastewater Treatment Plant Modifications
EPA Grant No. C120747030
Engineers' Project No. 8306-4
Dear Mr. Fellows:
Our two letters of February 3, 1986 relating to subject grant offer provided
you with cost and justification for seventeen (17) additional work items for
the treatment plant modifications project which were discussed with you and
your staff at a prior meeting on December 31 , 1985. These were for your use
during a meeting with DER personnel in Tallahassee tomorrow to explore the
possibility of obtaining an increase in your EPA grant offer.
In my discussions with Bob Braid yesterday, I was made aware of the need for
upgrading the sludge handling and sludge hauling equipment at the treatment
plant. Although the needed items may be eligible for other funding sources, I
recommend that they also be included in the list of items to be considered for
funding under any approved increase in the EPA Grant offer.
The supplemental items and their justifications are as follows:
(The item numbers are sequential with the prior item listing)
18. Pneumatic Tired Front End Loader for Sludge Handling - $15,000
The recent conversion of two sludge drying beds to plastic filter media, and
the pending conversion of the remaining beds to this system, combined with the
incorporation of polymer feed in the sludge dewatering process has increased
the frequency of dried sludge cake removal from the beds to the point that it
is a continuing workload problem. The present method uses an obsolete Case
front end loader which cannot service the total drying bed areas. Further, the
excessive wheel loading of this equipment causes damage to the plastic media.
This results in much manual handling of the dried sludge cake and costly
replacement of broken drain tiles. A number of items of replacement equipment
have been evaluated and tested on the beds. It has been found that the Kubota
hydraulic shift Model L355SS diesel tractor equipped with a Kubota Model L1720
front end loader and high capacity bucket is the most efficient and least
damaging to the plastic drain tiles on the plastic media beds.
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
February 4, 1986
Page Two
19. Tilt Frame Sludge Hauler with Two (2) Roll -off Sludge Containers -
$80,000
The present method for hauling the dried sludge cake to the Girven Road
sanitary landfill uses two (2) 6 cubic yard open dump trucks from the Public
Works Department. This method is both time consuming and unsatisfactory as a
method of sludge hauling on public highways. Prices have been obtained for a
50,000 pound capacity, hydraulic tilt frame G&H sludge hauler and two (2) 12
cubic yard closed roll-off sludge containers. This single sludge hauler will
carry more than the combined capacity of the two (2) dump trucks now used.
Also the closed sludge containers are preferable for sludge hauling over
public highways. The purchase of duplicate sludge containers will enable the
stand-by loading of one container while the other container is in transit to
the land fill with resulting savings in labor and equipment operating costs.
Should you have questions or need additional detail on these items please call
me.
Sincerely,
ROBERT BATES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
,L)1 LIAA Potoila€'
Harlan L. Bowman, P. E.
Project Manager
HLB/cel
cc: Mr. Bob Braid
r
I :
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
February 3, 1986
Page Two
3. Modify Polymer Mixing Tank to Provide Drainage - $2,000
Tank is an existing fiberglass tank in which concentrated polymer is batch
mixed with water to provide a dilute mixture less viscous and more readily
controllable to proper dosage rates with polymer feed pumps. The tank drain is
in the side of the tank preventing removal of several gallons of each polymer
batch except by manual bailing. Between usages the residual from the prior
batch becomes adulterated (dust, insects, etc.) and must be removed and
wasted. Present operations are wasteful of polymer and labor intensive. The
proposed work will modify the tank to provide complete gravity drainage of the
diluted batch through the drain line connection.
4. Construct Polymer Drum Storage and Handling Facility - $18,000
The planned facility includes mechanical hoisting equipment for off loading
and positioning 55-gallon drums of concentrated polymer delivered by truck to
the site. Storage for five (5) drums will be provided, in cradles tilted to
facilitate maximum possible withdrawal of polymer from each drum. Multi-drum
storage will provide an assured supply of polymer on hand in event of
temporary disruption of delivery schedules and may permit significant savings
in chemical costs by ordering multiple drums at discounted prices for
purchases in quantity.
5. Addition to Electrical Control and Laboratory Building - Equipped as
Laboratory - $66,000
The existing building provides less than fifty square feet of floor space
dedicated to laboratory usage. Necessary analytical work, records keeping and
records storage is laborious because of lack of space and absence of desirable
laboratory apparatus and facilities. The proposed building modification will
provide approximately 500 square feet, equipped with laboratory benches,
storage cabinets, utilities, equipment, glass ware and reagents to permit
testing for permit compliance, unit process performance evaluation and process
control .
6. Addition to Plant Control Building for Storage - $22,000
The addition will provide additional space for maintenance activities and for
storage of spare parts and tools.
7. Pave Access Driveway and Parking Area - $10,000
The proposed paving will facilitate vehicular access to the plant, will serve
to alleviate erosion during wet weather and suppress dust from vehicular
operations in dry weather.
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
February 3, 1986
Page Three
8. Install Four (4) Additional Yard Lighting Fixtures - $19,000
The proposed improvement will enhance security against theft and vandalism and
protect safety of the plant personnel during night-hour operations and
emergency maintenance activities. Inadequate lighting was provided in the
original design and yard lighting has become a more critical need from the
standpoint of personnel safety as operations have been extended beyond one
shift daily attendance.
9. Replace Existing Blower Building with CMU Structure - $34,000
The centrifugal air compressors supplying air to process units in the existing
plant were originally designed as an outdoor installation ( located on a
concrete pad adjacent to aeration tanks). The compressors were enclosed in a
wooden frame structure, intended to be a temporary facility, about three years
ago. The proposed blower building will replace that structure, providing
protection of mechanical equipment against the elements and tending to
suppress the intensity of operating noise to which nearby residents are
subjected.
10. Install Re-use Water System and Connect to Ground Irrigation Piping -
$39,000
The proposed improvement will provide for establishment and maintenance of
grass cover on the site to control erosion and suppress dust. Utilization of
plant effluent (re-use water) for this purpose is desirable from the
standpoint of resource use (beneficial use of effluent as an alternative to
withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation). Wastewater volume and mass
refractory pol lutant loadings discharged to the St. Johns River will be
reduced to the extent that beneficial usage of effluent for grounds irrigation
is practiced.
11. Replace Drive Mechanism on Existing Clarifier - $50,000
The existing plant has a single secondary clarifier; a critical process unit
accomplishing pollutant removals (as activated sludge solids) and providing
the RAS source for the necessary recycle of organisms to seed the aeration
tank process units. Because of its critical functions, continuity of secondary
clarification is essential to operation of any activated sludge plant. Since
the existing Atlantic Beach plant has only a single unit, historic operating
and maintenance practice has necessarily and properly attempted to keep this
unit in continuous service. Prolonged downtime for major maintenance and/or
equipment overhaul has been an unaffordable luxury and the result is a
mechanism which has operated continuously in a severe environment for some
fourteen years with only emergency maintenance. The drive mechanism is
deteriorated to the point of imminent mechanical failure and must be replaced.
Should failure occur before the plant expansion is complete and all flow can
be diverted temporarily to the new process units as planned, the plant will be
literally "out of business" until the drive is replaced on an emergency basis.
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
February 3, 1986
Page Four
12. Install Electric Hoist for Removing Aeration Tank Diffusers - $11,000
The existing aeration tank diffused air system includes air mains above the
operating liquid levels feeding vertical drop pipe to air headers on which the
diffusers are mounted just above the tank floor. The drop pipe connect to the
air mains through valved tee branches provided with "quick disconnect" type
connections. The design intended that each drop pipe-air header assembly could
be "quick disconnected" and lifted from the aeration tank to permit diffuser
cleaning and maintenance. A tripod hoist was provided for lifting. The
operators report an inability to properly anchor the existing hoist with the
result that it falls into the tankage when they attempt to use it, effectively
precluding diffuser maintenance. Inadequate existing hoist anchorage may have
been a design/construction defect in the existing plant, a result of
deterioration of the hoist over time, or both. The proposed work item wi l l
provide a new hoist and improved anchorage to permit diffuser maintenance in
accordance with the original design intent.
13. Install Additional Underflow Suction Tubes in Existing Clarifier - $8,000
The existing clarifier mechanism is of the "rapid sludge return" type
utilizing suction tubes installed on the arms of the rotating mechanism.
Hydrostatic pressure of liquid in the tank results in flow of the light
activated sludge floc into ends of the suction tubes as they rotate around the
clarifier floor; the hydrostatic pressure differential necessary to result in
sludge pickup and flow along the suction tubes is maintained by having the
tubes discharge to a central sludge well at the center of the mechanism. The
operating level in the well is somewhat lower than in the clarifier. Shop
drawings for the existing plant and the operators' observations indicate there
is no suction tube providing for sludge pickup near the outer clarifier wall.
The operational result is that sludge settling near the outer wall is unlikely
to be picked up. Upon deposition, the solids thus remain in place until
biological action results in denitrification and gasification. Solids
particles, buoyed by entrained gas bubbles, then rise to the surface along the
tank wall and are washed out over the effluent weir. The effect is
deterioration of plant effluent quality. The proposed change will add a
suction tube with pickup point near the outboard end of each arm of the
collector mechanism.
14. Replace Digested Sludge Pump - $20,000
The digested sludge pump is a 4-inch progressing cavity type unit with
variable speed drive (maximum rate 100 gpm) used to transfer digested sludge
at metered rates, properly dosed with metered polymer feed, to the artificial
media sludge beds. The pump was installed with the sludge bed conversion
project in 1983. Operating experience has shown that the sludge is watery and
voluminous requiring many hours of operation for polymer conditioning and
transfer at the limiting 100 gpm rate. Full scale field studies of transfer at
increased hydraulic flow rates in conjunction with the continuous flow polymer
feed system (Item 16 below) indicate satisfactory conditioning and dewatering
can be achieved at much greater transfer rates. This work item will provide a
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
February 3, 1986
Page Five
higher rate lobe pump for the sludge transfer application to reduce the
transfer time (and manhours of operator attention) required to transfer and
condition sludge.
15. Sandblast and Paint Exterior of Existing Aeration Tanks, Clarifier and
Aerobic Digester - $130,000.
The tankage is of poured-in-place reinforced concrete. The aerobic digester is
about thirty years old, having been constructed as an anaerobic digester when
the original primary treatment plant was built. It was converted to use as an
aerobic digester when the secondary facilities, including aeration tanks and
clarifier, were constructed in the early 1970's. This work item would provide
for surface preparation and painting of these structures to provide aesthetic
compatibility with concrete tankage included in the plant expansion currently
under construction. It is consistent with the planned permanent status of the
improved plant and the City's intent to upgrade the image and the
environmental features, including aesthetics, of its public utility systems'
facilities.
16. Install New Polyblend Polymer Feed System - $17,000.
The system is a continuous flow polymer mixing and feed system; its primary
elements include:
(a) Pressurized mixing chamber with mechanical mixer, used to uniformly
dilute and mix a concentrated polymer feed stream with a potable water
stream;
(b) Potable water supply line with rotameter type rate control device;
(c) Concentrated polymer supply line with chemical-metering type polymer pump
and rotameter type rate control device; the pump takes suction directly
from concentrated polymer drum and discharges to mixing chamber;
(d) Diluted polymer feed line from mixing chamber to injection point in
digested sludge transfer piping.
The total system is pressurized by water supply line pressure with no booster
or injection pump being required. The continuous-flow, variable rate features
of the system permit fine tuning polymer dosages during the conditioning
operation to achieve economy of polymer usage consistent with proper floc
formation for effective dewatering. The continuous flow system virtually
eliminates the necessity for wastage of leftover, adulterated, or improperly
batched polymer dilutions as in the case of the existing batch-mix system.
Design and operational features also minimize operational labor requirements
for polymer handling, proportioning, wastage and equipment washup. It is
proposed that the existing batch-mix equipment, with the modification per Item
3 above, be kept in operable condition as a standby, backup system, to assure
sludge conditioning reliability and continuity of operation and to conserve
the City's recent prior capital investment in the existing facilities.
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
February 3, 1986
Page Six
17. New Diesel Generator Set and Automatic Transfer Switch - Standby Power
for Existing Air Compressors - $50,000.
One existing blower has an auxiliary gasoline engine drive; in event of
electric power failure standby air compressor capability in the existing plant
is lost. Treatment effectiveness is thus dependent on the continued,
concurrent operability of the auxiliary engine and the compressor to which it
can be connected. The plant expansion project, currently underway, includes an
air main connection between the existing plant and the current expansion. The
expansion has an auxiliary generator set with automatic transfer switch
capable of driving all compressors in the plant expansion. Thus, in event of
primary power failure, the new compressors could supply air to both plants
(through the air main connection) although not at rates adequate for maximum
air demands of both. The plant expansion's electrical system was designed for
480 v. supply to minimize current and permit downsizing of motors, motor
starters and other electrical components. In contrast, the existing plant's
electrical system design is based on a 240 v. supply. The different power
characteristics were the reason a single generator, sized for auxiliary power
supply to the total plant, was not provided. The proposed work item will
provide an auxiliary generator with automatic transfer switch to assure
continuity of existing plant operation even in event of primary power failure.
Effectiveness and reliability of the treatment system will be enhanced
thereby.
We trust the comments of this letter will provide information useful in your
upcoming meeting. Should you have questions or need additional detail , please
advise.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT BATES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Consulting Engineers
sedey-/i( -t)3 r
Robert L. Bates, Jr. , P.E. ,
President
RLB/jcw
LU[ L:.: Robert Bates & Associates, Inc.
LwisurnngI nymrc's JaU sno„gr lwu .
Posl 011ice Box 5651
3304 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonvillerlorida 32207
(9043966904 January 29, 1986
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
City of Atlantic Beach
716 Ocean Boulevard
Post Office Drawer 25
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Re: Additional EPA Grant Requirements
Modifications to Existing
Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities
EPA Project No. C120747030
Engineers' Project No. 8306-4
Dear Mr. Fellows:
Please refer to our meeting of December 31, 1985, on subject and your recent
telephone call requesting budget type cost estimates for the items discussed.
Following is a list of those items and our estimate of the grant increase
requirements associated with each:
Item
No. Description Estimated Cost
1. Replace Return Activated Sludge Pumps and Valves $ 27,000
2. Construct CMU Structure over Polymer Feed Facility 22,000
3. Modify Polymer Mixing Tank to Provide Drainage 2,000
4. Construct Polymer Drum Storage and Handling Facility 18,000
5. Construct Addition to Electrical Control and
Laboratory Building and Outfit as a Laboratory 66,000
6. Construct Addition to Plant Control Building for
Storage 22,000
7. Pave Access Driveway and Parking Area 10,000
8. Install Four (4) Additional Yard Lighting Fixtures 19,000
9. Replace Existing Blower Building with CMU Structure 34,000
10. Install Re-Use Water System and Connect to Grounds
Irrigation Piping 39,000
- continued -
Mr. Richard C. Fellows, City Manager
January 29, 1986
Page Two
Item
No. Description Estimated Cost
11. Replace Drive Mechanism on Existing Clarifier $ 50,000
12. Install Electric Hoist for Removing Aeration Tank
Diffusers 11,000
13. Install Additional Underflow Suction Tubes in
Existing Clarifier 8,000
14. Replace Digested Sludge Pump 20,000
15. Sandblast and Paint Exterior of Existing Aeration
Tanks, Clarifier and Aerobic Digester 130,000
16. Install New Polyblend Polymer Feed System 17,000
17. Install Auxiliary Diesel Generator Set, with Automatic
Transfer Switch, to Drive Air Compressors 50,000
Total 545,000
We have not attempted to list these items in priority order. This can best be
done by the City personnel most knowledgeable as to the need.
The prices shown include engineering costs. They have also been accelerated
by a 10% contingency factor because of the general nature of the requirements
at this stage in the planning process. We wi l l provide a more detailed cost
estimate for any of the items for which you receive a favorable reaction from
DER during your forthcoming visit.
If you have questions or comments on these items, please call me.
Sincerely,
ROBERT BATES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Cons lting Engineers
Ro ert L. Bates, L P.E. ,
President
RLB/jcw